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The decrease is probably entirely due to the increased facilities of transit, leading to a
tendency on the part of the population of this, as well as other central boroughs, to seek residence
further out. This is an object to be desired, since it is beneficial alike to those going and those
remaining, for only in this way can sufficient space be provided round houses and overcrowding on
large areas be avoided. If the demand for slum property ceased it would soon lead to its abolition.
The same method of estimating has been adopted as that employed in former years.
Births.
The total number of births registered in the Borough for the 52 weeks ended December 30th,
1911, was 3,842, consisting of 1,948 males and 1,894 females. This is 329 below the average for
the last 10 years, and 115 below the figure for 1910.
This total includes 2,528 for Bermondsey, being 133 below that for 1910, and 248 below the
average for the last 10 years; 1,067 for Rotherhithe, being 37 above the number for 1910, and 49
below the average for the last 10 years; and 247 for St. Olave, being 9 below the number for
1910, and 33 below the average for the last 10 years.
In Table II. of the appendix will be seen the figures for the last 10 years in the three
registration sub-districts, and in Table I. figures for the whole Borough.
The birth-rate for 1911 was 30.5 per thousand persons living, which is 1.9 below the average
for the last 10 years. Particulars of rates will be found in annexed Table A. London is included
for comparison.
A new departure with regard to births was made by the Registrar-General in 1906. The
births are corrected by distributing those which occurred in the chief lying-in hospitals of the
Metropolis to the Boroughs in which the mothers had resided previous to admission.
Those allocated to Bermondsey in 1911 number 74, and if they are added to the above
total the rate would be 31.1.
Table A — Birth-rates.
Year.
Bermondsey.
Rotherhithe.
St. Olave.
Whole
Borough.
London
1901
35.42
31.73
34.1
29.0
32.73
33.4
34.70
30.47
33.92
28.5
1902
31.12
30.83
32.4
1903
29.10
28.4
40.69
27.8
1904
33.52
28.27
32.4
29.53
30.64
33.3
27.1
1905
35.35
31.08
31.4
1906
32.83
28.48
26.5
1907
32.76
29.06
31.4
25.6
28.45
32.58
32.1
1908
33.53
29.02
25.2
1909
33.65
28.02
32.99
31.9
24.2
32.73
27.27
35.53
31.3
23.6
1910
33.56
26.6
32.4
Average for years
1901-1910
29.10
32.94
1911
30.79
30.43
28.48
30.5
24.8
From this table it will be seen that there is a reduction of the birth-rate for the Borough,
which is shared by Bermondsey and St. Olave.
Marriages.
The total number of marriages in the Borough in 1911 was 1,130, being 19 below the
number for 1910, and 20 above the average for the last 10 years.
In Table VIII. of the Appendix will be found particulars of numbers and rates in the three
Registration Sub-districts. The numbers have been supplied by the Superintendent Registrar.
Deaths.
In Table IY. of Appendix will be found the Local Government Board tables dealing with
deaths in the Borough. The extended table of causes of death initiated in 1904 will also be
found in the Appendix.
The total number of deaths registered in the Borough for the 52 weeks ended December 30th,
1911, was 1,782, which is 65 more than in 1910, and 230 less than the average for the last 10 years.
When this figure is corrected by exclusion, of deaths of non-parishioners occurring in the
district, and the inclusion of deaths of parishioners occurring outside the district, the number is
raised to 2,320. This is 65 more than in 1910, and 158 less than the average for the last 10 years.
The annexed table shows the distribution of deaths in quarters, together with the corresponding
quarters of 1910. The largest number of deaths occurred in the first quarter of the
year.